Page 48

Cody

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow on Rafael’s tan complexion. He carried a gorgeous bouquet of plumeria and hibiscus as he descended the stairs of our Maui B&B. We’d decided to take a trip for the Christmas break as a family, Sue included.

There was also another reason for the trip that we’d kept hidden from Mom.

“Oh, those are beautiful! Let’s put the big bouquets on either side of the arbor,” I suggested.

Our little B&B couldn’t be more perfect. Birds of paradise flanked the sides of the backyard. A staircase from the house opened to a cobblestone path leading to an arbor that overlooked the beachfront view.

Hank stood beneath the arbor. Beads of sweat dripped from his hairline. The officiant was kind enough to hand him a handkerchief to dab his forehead.

I walked around, placing tea citronella candles in bowls of water throughout the area.

Rafael drew closer to me. “Looks good,” he mused.

“It’s perfect. She’s gonna flip.”

“I hope so. Jill deserves a nice ceremony.”

It was hard to believe how far we’d come in such a short amount of time. Rafael hadn’t had a drink in four months.

Mom and Rafael had become quite close. It was actually his idea for us to plan a surprise vow renewal for Mom during our family vacation.

Next fall, we’d be at Calahan University along with Asher and Theo.

Rafael and I already knew we would be roommates. I couldn’t freaking wait. It would basically be like having our own apartment.

I was already planning to buy a host of kinky shit to play with.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I checked the notifications to find Sue’s text.

“They’re coming!” I yelled to the group. Rafael and I quickly scattered white petals about the path. It was the final task because we didn’t want the wind to blow them away.

The front door slammed shut, and I gave everyone two thumbs up.

“Maybe we should eat on the patio tonight. It’s such a beautiful—” Mom gasped when she saw the backyard. Her hands cupped her face, and her eyes widened. “Oh, my goodness.”

Sue led her to the bottom of the stairs, where I was waiting. I gave her my arm and led her along the cobblestone path. Heaping tears fell down her face as she approached Hank.

Mom looked at me and whispered, “Cody. I’m so damn lucky.”

“It was Rafael’s idea,” I replied.

Her gaze found Rafael, and she reached out and gave him a big hug. “You sweetheart,” she cooed to him.

Rafael smiled and gave her a wink. We continued along the path to where Hank waited for her.

Once we’d reached Hank, they clasped hands and stared into each other’s eyes.

Rafael and Sue soon joined me. I barely made out the words the officiant said. The scene before me was just too perfect. Mom and Hank looked so in love under an arbor adorned with beautiful Hawaiian flowers. The sun sparkled on the waves crashing in the background. It was truly breathtaking.

I was snapped away from my silent musings when I heard the officiant say, “If anyone present knows of any reason why these two should not be joined in marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

All four of us slowly turned and looked at Rafael, whose face was scarlet red. “Not this time,” he said. “Scouts honor.”

Mom laughed. She laughed hysterically. Soon, all of us laughed. The officiant looked at us with confusion. Eventually, he shrugged and continued with the ceremony.

When Mom and Hank kissed, Rafael wrapped his arm about me. I started crying.

This was the wedding that Mom deserved.

Rafael

I stood alone, looking at the crashing waves in the distance. Jill’s smile didn’t fade once the whole night, and a little shred of guilt I’d held onto because of my show at the first wedding vanished.

Cody joined me, and we watched the waves together.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“Good. The water doesn’t bother me anymore.” It was true. The water didn’t scare me. That dreadful day no longer plagued my dreams. I slept through the night, with Cody snuggled into me, my angel.

“Look!” Cody pointed to the sky, and my breath hitched when I saw it.

A rainbow emerged, its hues growing more vibrant by the second. It swept across the horizon in a perfect arch, which perfectly framed a single ray of sunshine cascading down to the glittering water.

The happiest tears I ever shed fell down my cheeks as Cody’s hand threaded with mine. I looked at him, and he knew what I was thinking.

We kissed each other. It dawned on me that I no longer feared the future. I couldn’t wait for the road ahead because I knew I’d be kissing this boy for the rest of my life.

The End